By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will join Top 14 side Racing 92 after this year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
Kolisi, 31, currently plays for South African side Cell C Sharks in the United Rugby Championship.
He led the Springboks to World Cup glory in Japan in 2019, where they beat England in the final.
The Sharks confirmed Kolisi had been granted an early release from his contract to complete the move to Paris.
The franchise said the move was part of a broader long-term collaboration between the two clubs, which will involve quarterly meetings of owners, and an exchange of ideas about player sharing and coaching.
“I want to give massive thanks to the Sharks for welcoming me with open arms in 2021 and for making me feel so at home in Durban,” Kolisi said in a statement on social media.
“Their support over the last couple of years has been hugely influential during a key period in my career.”
My statement on joining @racing92 after the 2023 Rugby World Cup. pic.twitter.com/bxR8YOkA54
— Siya Kolisi (@SiyaKolisi) January 3, 2023
Racing president Jacky Lorenzetti added: “The signing of Siya Kolisi reinforces the ambitions of Racing 92 and will offer our supporters a high-level show at Paris La Defense Arena.
“His deep culture of victory and his natural leadership make him a very great player who doubles as a deeply humanist man. He will bring additional positive energy to Racing 92.”